Richard Branson believes the key to success is a three-day workweek

Authored by cnbc.com and submitted by mvea

Billionaire Richard Branson is pushing business leaders to embrace the idea of flexible work arrangements, claiming that with today's cutting-edge technology, there is no reason people can't work less hours and be equally — if not more — effective.

Hard work is key, but enjoying what you do and having fun is just as crucial, said the adventurous, fun-loving founder of Virgin. In his international best seller "The Virgin Way: If It's Not Fun, It's Not Worth Doing," he wrote that "fun is one of the most important — and underrated — ingredients in any successful venture."

Branson often touts the importance of relaxing, recharging and reconnecting with the people you love and believes flexible working allows Virgin's staff to find a better balance between their work and private lives. "Through this balance they become happier and more productive," he said.

Virgin offers its employees unlimited leave and a work-from-home option. "It's easier to attract top talent when you are open and flexible," Branson said in a recent blog post. "It's not effective or productive to force them to behave in a conventional way."

JiveTurkey1000 on September 12nd, 2018 at 15:02 UTC »

We need to get over this ridiculous notion that working our asses off our entire lives somehow makes a person more than the next. Listening to folks brag about how they haven't taken a day off in years, sick or vacation, is just sad.

BaconReceptacle on September 12nd, 2018 at 14:44 UTC »

Considering I spend the equivalent of two days on Reddit during the week, I think I'm already there.

Bill_Brasky889 on September 12nd, 2018 at 14:08 UTC »

I don't know if this is quite it, but something needs to change.

Here in Canada, thousands upon thousands commute 1.5 hours to work every day because we're forced to live far outside the city due to housing being so expensive. We're then expected to put in 9 hours (unpaid lunch), and drive the same 1.5 hours back. That's 12 hours spent devoted to our job every single day, leaving maybe 4 hours per day for personal hygiene, house chores, raising our kids, socializing with our spouse, cooking meals, extracurricular, and relaxation time. Needless to say, something has to go without.

I've recently become laid off due to the bad economy so I've been staying home with my wife and kids. I'm happy. I'm over the moon happy. I play with them all day, we take walks, we talk about things. I can make them healthy delicious meals. I have time to sit down with my wife and actually talk. I've taken up old hobbies. It really feels like THIS is what life is supposed to be, but it's obviously going to be unattainable unless I figure out how to become a millionaire.